HOMEGROWN: J. Britt Lighting & Interiors

TUPELO – Britt Caldwell made his first lamp in third grade at Church Street Elementary School with a Pepsi can and a mason jar. He hasn’t stopped being creative since.
Even as he started an accounting career in the 1990s, he got involved with antiques. And no wonder – his father had Pam Antiques.
“I spent most of my younger years traveling with him and learning from him,” he said.
While he started his career in Jackson as an accountant, the antiques bug led him to get involved in the Bagwell Antique show. He has owned and managed the biannual event for 17 years.
“That got me in the antiques business myself,” he said. Caldwell returned to Tupelo about 15 years ago, when he bought his dad’s store. In 2005, he opened J. Britt Antiques & Lighting at its current spot McCullough Boulevard.
The business’ name has since changed to J. Britt Lighting & Interiors to better reflect what it does.
Today, the bulk of the business comes from custom-designed lamps and light fixtures for residential and commercial customers. Some of Britt’s works can be seen at Fairpark Grill and at South restaurant in Tupelo.
He’s designed lamps using any number of objects, including buckets, crates, wine bottles and antlers. But tastes vary.
“I’m seeing a trend to modern lamps, industrial design and repurposed designs,” he said.
No matter the style, Caldwell said lighting is much like the cabinetry and flooring of a home in its importance.
“It’s the jewelry for the home,” he said.